Nursing churn and turnover in Australian hospitals: Nurses perceptions and suggestions for supportive strategies

Dawson, AJ; Stasa, H; Roche, MA; Homer, CSE; Duffield, C

Nursing churn and turnover in Australian hospitals: Nurses perceptions and suggestions for supportive strategies

Dawson, AJ

Stasa, H Roche, MA

Homer, CSE

Duffield, C

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC Nursing, 2014, 13 (1)
Issue Date:: 2014-04-08

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Dawson, AJ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-2202	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Stasa, H	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Roche, MA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3831-537X	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Duffield, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6534-8743	en_US
dc.date.available	2014-04-03	en_US
dc.date.issued	2014-04-08	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	BMC Nursing, 2014, 13 (1)	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/33306
dc.description.abstract	Background: This study aimed to reveal nurses' experiences and perceptions of turnover in Australian hospitals and identify strategies to improve retention, performance and job satisfaction. Nursing turnover is a serious issue that can compromise patient safety, increase health care costs and impact on staff morale. A qualitative design was used to analyze responses from 362 nurses collected from a national survey of nurses from medical and surgical nursing units across 3 Australian States/Territories.Method: A qualitative design was used to analyze responses from 362 nurses collected from a national survey of nurses from medical and surgical nursing units across 3 Australian States/Territories.Results: Key factors affecting nursing turnover were limited career opportunities; poor support; a lack of recognition; and negative staff attitudes. The nursing working environment is characterised by inappropriate skill-mix and inadequate patient-staff ratios; a lack of overseas qualified nurses with appropriate skills; low involvement in decision-making processes; and increased patient demands. These issues impacted upon heavy workloads and stress levels with nurses feeling undervalued and disempowered. Nurses described supportive strategies: improving performance appraisals, responsive preceptorship and flexible employment options.Conclusion: Nursing turnover is influenced by the experiences of nurses. Positive steps can be made towards improving workplace conditions and ensuring nurse retention. Improving performance management and work design are strategies that nurse managers could harness to reduce turnover. © 2014 Dawson et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.	en_US
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LP0774836R1
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC Nursing	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/1472-6955-13-11	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.title	Nursing churn and turnover in Australian hospitals: Nurses perceptions and suggestions for supportive strategies	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	13	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Nursing
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	13	en_US

Abstract:

Background: This study aimed to reveal nurses' experiences and perceptions of turnover in Australian hospitals and identify strategies to improve retention, performance and job satisfaction. Nursing turnover is a serious issue that can compromise patient safety, increase health care costs and impact on staff morale. A qualitative design was used to analyze responses from 362 nurses collected from a national survey of nurses from medical and surgical nursing units across 3 Australian States/Territories.Method: A qualitative design was used to analyze responses from 362 nurses collected from a national survey of nurses from medical and surgical nursing units across 3 Australian States/Territories.Results: Key factors affecting nursing turnover were limited career opportunities; poor support; a lack of recognition; and negative staff attitudes. The nursing working environment is characterised by inappropriate skill-mix and inadequate patient-staff ratios; a lack of overseas qualified nurses with appropriate skills; low involvement in decision-making processes; and increased patient demands. These issues impacted upon heavy workloads and stress levels with nurses feeling undervalued and disempowered. Nurses described supportive strategies: improving performance appraisals, responsive preceptorship and flexible employment options.Conclusion: Nursing turnover is influenced by the experiences of nurses. Positive steps can be made towards improving workplace conditions and ensuring nurse retention. Improving performance management and work design are strategies that nurse managers could harness to reduce turnover. © 2014 Dawson et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/33306